Competitive Strategies For Business tendering Opportunities In Public Universities In Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to identify competitive strategies used by privately owned business while competing for public tendering opportunities in Public Universities in Kenya. The study identified three main objectives, pricing, quality of service and size of the firm as strategies for creating a competitive gain while competing for tendering opportunities in Chartered Public Universities in Kenya. To achieve its objectives the study adopted a descriptive design with quantitative approach where semi-structured questionnaires were administered. The target population was 149 suppliers of goods and services to Kenyan Public Universities in theRift Valley, Central, Nairobi and the Eastern Regions. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences to generate descriptive and inferential data. A regression model was developed to establish the strength and direction of the relationship between the independent variables and implementation and the following coefficients were determined pricing - 0.119, Quality of service and 0.182 size of business 0.65. The study found out that pricing, quality of goods and services and the size of the business have an influence on the competitiveness of the business for public tendering opportunities. Further it is clear that quality of goods and services is the most important strategy used by business to secure tendering opportunities and any raise in price negatively affects the competitiveness of the business. The study recommends that firms that are seeking to compete for tendering opportunities in Public Universities should quote prices that are passive and within the market rates without compromising the excellence of the products being provided.